The Psychiatric Nurses Association says its escalating industrial action to Phase 2.

They say it follows the absence of adequate proposals from the HSE and Department of Health to address issues of understaffing of mental health services across the country.

The escalation will include nurses not using IT systems in some cases, not attending non-clinical meetings and not opening and closing entrance doors to units.

The National Executive Committee of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) confirmed that the action will commence on Wednesday July 6th.

Last week, around 4,500 psychiatric nurses around the country began the industrial action over staffing and pay.

The PNA says its members are angry at a lack of recruitment.

It says there will be about 1,000 staff vacancies in the system by the end of the year.

They are engaging in a work-to-rule after 87% of PNA members voted for industrial action.